by aminv

hi
guys. my right ear was operated in 1999 because my earbones fell off,but i guess surgerey did not went well, i could not hear on the phone properly, but left ear was good. now all the sudden during pregnancy i lost hearing on left ear also i dont know but i am blaming my pregnancy for this. some times i get upset with my 4 month old son that he came to this world and i lost my hearing. i am so selfish i know. but i now have severe loss on right ear and moderate loss on left ear i have to wear bi-lateral hearing aid and i dont like it. i am so depressed because sometimes on the phone at work i can not hear my doc is giving me diffrent program so i can hear better on phone better but so far it is not working. although i got a job with county health department i heard most of the phone calls are handled by clerk. i am starting on oct 5th. i am 32 and i think how long this hearing will last i am having all the negative thought. i should think positive stuff like god gave me beautiful baby boy who is healthy and husband very supportive. but i always think about my ears. sometimes i feel like selfish person or bad mother. sometimes i feel like why god did this to me at younge age. i think this hearing will affect my nursing career also. sorry i just need to let it out. why me god????????????????????????????????????????

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

Hi there, I am sorry that you have lost most of your hearing at 32. I started losing mine around that time, and was told at 38 that I needed to wear bilateral hearing aids. My hearing loss is totally genetic and irreversible....at 43 it is worsening and I am happy to say that I am still practicing. I too have a lot of trouble hearing doctors on the phone.....especially if they have an accent. It's hard to wear my hearing aids and use my stethoscope, so I am looking at a blue tooth stethoscope that will send heart tones straight to my hearing aids. It can be frustrating at times, but you can over come it. Have you considered that you are going through post partum depression since your son is only 4 months old? Please don't let your hearing loss keep you from enjoying your nursing profession. There are plenty of us out there who don't hear so well, but we are damn good nurses!!! Good luck!

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

You need professional help, aminv. You have suffered a severe loss and need some help, now, in moving on.

I am deaf enough that I am panicked at being at work without my hearing aid, but not nearly to your extent.

Get some help. Really. Maybe this is some post-partum depression mixed in with the new hearing loss.

{{{aminv}}}

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

Why you? well, why not you? I am an RN who is progressivly profoundly deaf ( right=118, left= 120) and still losing decibles. While I understand and relate to your momentary depression, since I have been there and done that, you need to quit focusing on the negatives. Do not allow your mind to dwell on "what you've lost" but discipline your mind to focus on what you CAN do. You may have talents and abilities that can ONLY be utilized BECAUSE of your hearing loss. Believe me, there are still moments when I'm having a bad day where I get a little down, but if you are'nt your best advocate...noone else will be. Now, hug yourself, and know there are others out there who are in the same or similar situation as yourself and hold your head up high....you are a nurse and so what if you don't hear all that well. there are always others who might have things a little worse than ourselves. And your baby boy would probably love to see you sign lullabys to him....he may even sign with you. He's at the perfect age to learn sign language with you.
Okay? Now, instead of asking G*d "why?" ask "what do you want me to do?"

Originally Posted by aminv

hi
guys. my right ear was operated in 1999 because my earbones fell off,but i guess surgerey did not went well, i could not hear on the phone properly, but left ear was good. now all the sudden during pregnancy i lost hearing on left ear also i dont know but i am blaming my pregnancy for this. some times i get upset with my 4 month old son that he came to this world and i lost my hearing. i am so selfish i know. but i now have severe loss on right ear and moderate loss on left ear i have to wear bi-lateral hearing aid and i dont like it. i am so depressed because sometimes on the phone at work i can not hear my doc is giving me diffrent program so i can hear better on phone better but so far it is not working. although i got a job with county health department i heard most of the phone calls are handled by clerk. i am starting on oct 5th. i am 32 and i think how long this hearing will last i am having all the negative thought. i should think positive stuff like god gave me beautiful baby boy who is healthy and husband very supportive. but i always think about my ears. sometimes i feel like selfish person or bad mother. sometimes i feel like why god did this to me at younge age. i think this hearing will affect my nursing career also. sorry i just need to let it out. why me god????????????????????????????????????????

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

I'll say one thing about being hard of hearing. I had a high-pitched bed alarm going off tonight and knew that the aides would get to it when they could, and couldn't leave the med cart.

I turned off the HA.

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

hi
guys may be post partum depression could be mix with the hearing loss situation. i am feeling better than before, but there are days i feel so down and can not stop crying. i want to reach so high in my career and want to earn decent income, but hearig loss is stoping me to apply in the hospital, but i just accepted job at county clinic hope i dont have to use phone much there and i do well at my work that will help me healing a bit. i came to states at the age of 17 from india and work so hard to learn english got my first Associate degree in comptuer info than i got my bachelor in Mangement info sytesm and i could not find decent job where i use to live in small town of PA than i went for bachelor in nursing because i alway want to go in health field but had language issue when i came here. so all i did is hard work got three degress and worked only one year with decent income and lost my hearing all the sudden it is so hard to accept. i feel like god what did i do wrong to deserve this? but i guess things could be worse than this. i think it will take me long long long time to get over this or may be not, but i heard god and time heals everything so hope that is the case with me. But i want to Thank you guys for replying my thread.

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

http://www.amphl.org/nursing.php

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

This isn't about doing anything wrong. It's about several big stressors coming together in a way that has you overwhelmed.

You are in the prime period for post partum depression. The novelty of the baby has worn off and the hard work has set in. You may be running on short sleep. Your hormones are still working to get you back to your pre-pregnant state.

Add to this your rather sudden hearing loss, and it's no wonder you're unhappy.

Please, talk to your doctor about the possibility of postpartum depression. That's the first place to start.

Second, you don't mention consulting with a doctor about your ears, but that would also be a good thing to do. Maybe this second loss is reversible. You might also be a candidate for hearing aids. Investigate the hearing loss further before accepting it as permanent.

Third, most cities/states have what's called a Department of Vocational Rehabilitation that helps people with significant disabilities get assistive devices, on-the-job accommodations, or retraining if current employment can't be maintained.

It doesn't sound like your job is in jeopardy at the moment, but DVR folks can help head off problems so it doesn't get to that point.

I'm not going to tell you to count your blessings because I think you already have. But I will encourage you to get past the bleak outlook and challenge your circumstances. Ask for help (as you did here), and go after solutions.

If you were determined enough to move from a different continent and culture, learn a new language, obtain an impressive amount of education, and make a life for your family, you definitely have what it takes to come through this stronger and wiser for the hard times.

Don't just survive. Make this experience work for you and your patients.

I wish you the very best!

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

I've been dealing with hearing loss since the age of 6. I got my hearing last year. They are awesome! I lost them a month ago and was so at a loss until I got my new ones.

For work, I have a special stethoscope that has headphones (I have in the canal aids). I generally use the phone without my aid - get a lot of feedback.

So many things are happening to you at once. Do find a professional to talk to. Explore your options with aids - they are life changing. I will say, though, sometimes I have to take the aids out and go back to my safe, quiet, muffled world.

Remember, you aren't alone and there are many avenues for help for you to explore. Sue gave you an excellent website to explore.

Blessings,
Cindy

Re: Depression because of hearing loss

No way! I'm completely deaf and I have an arsenal of support behind me. I'm in my pre nursing year and among the smartest in my class (as my teachers have stated). If I can do it, then you can do it just as well. If you need someone to talk with about the deaf issues of nursing, please message me.